500 Meetings of Senate: Celebrating Academic Governance at Trent University
57 years of granting degrees, creating in-demand academic programs and committing to reconciliation among highlights commemorated at milestone meeting
Trent’s Senate held its milestone 500th meeting today, marking nearly 60 years of championing academic progress at the University.
“From impressive growth in academic programs, creation of new co-op streams, continued commitment to reconciliation, and over 62,000 degrees granted – Senate is where academic ideas become a reality at Trent,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of the University. “Thank you to all members – past and present – who have contributed to Senate over the past 57 years.”
Senate, which is the co-governing body of the University with the Board of Governors, is primarily responsible for making decisions around academic programming and planning at Trent, including approving new undergraduate and graduate degrees, reviewing research grants and proposals, and recognizing achievements through awards and special honours.
Over 500 meetings and nearly 60 years, Senate members have championed the academic progress of Trent University, perhaps best reflected by the growth in graduating students each year to 2,172 in 2021 from just 48, the first cohort of graduating students in 1967.
To date, Senate has granted 60,073 undergraduate degrees, diplomas and post-graduate certificates and 2,492 graduate degrees and diplomas, for a total of 62,565 total academic certifications conferred. Senate has also created several medals to recognize student academic achievement and faculty achievement in teaching and research.
In addition to helping Trent students realize their potential and achieve success at university, Senate has also led:
- Expanding the number of undergraduate program areas from 13 in 1965 to 54 in 2021
- Increasing graduate programs from 1 in 1965, to 18 masters programs, 6 doctoral programs and 4 graduate diplomas in 2022
- Approving 45 new specializations; 20 options; 17 dual degrees; 18 degree certificate programs
- Awarding 255 honorary degrees and recommending 72 individuals to receive the Eminent Service Awards
Notably, Trent University’s Senate has also been a key driver of the institution’s work on reconciliation, embedding it into our academic culture since Trent’s establishment. Highlights include: creating the Department of Native Studies in 1972 – a Canadian university first; establishing the Aboriginal Education Council as part of governance structure of the University in 1993; creating the Senate Committee on Indigenous Education created in 2017, and approving the Indigenous course requirement in 2018.
Learn more about Trent University’s Senate.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
Celia Grimbly, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or celiagrimbly@trentu.ca